Examples for Paper 1 Flashcards

(24 cards)

1
Q

Representative democracy example

A

Terminally Ill Adults Bill passed with majority of 55 in parliament at the end of 2024.

Legalised assisted dying for terminally ill adults

Parliament’s legislative function

“Free Vote” which meant MPs vote with their conscience not along party lines

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2
Q

Representative/Direct Democracy example

A

Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe voted in favour of End of Life bill 2024 after hosting mini-referendum in his constituency

Promised to vote according to wishes of the people in his constituency. 75% for the bill

Example of representative trying to introduce an element of direct democracy in how they represent their constituency

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3
Q

Increased Party Membership (Against participation crisis)

A

Feb ‘25, Farage claimed Reform had surpassed 200,000 members, doubled Tory party membership, not far off from the Labour membership

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4
Q

Labour accused of Cronyism 2024 (For Democratic Deficit)

A

Summer ‘24, Labour gov was involved in a significant controversy involving prominent donor Lord Waheed Alli, a peer who donated over £500,000 to the party since 2020

Following Labour’s electoral victory, Alli was granted temporary security pass to Downing Street, which he used to organise a post-election event and reportedly advise on public appointments

Undermines public trust in politicians, those with money can influence politics despite being unelected

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5
Q

Age UK E-Petition (Direct Democracy)

A

Electorate engaged in politics between elections and how E-Petitions can generate significant involvement

590k signatures

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6
Q

Debates over Suffrage

A

Voter ID sees 50k turned away from 2024 vote

Could be used in a franchise question, concerns about voter suppression and undermining of democracy and rights in the UK

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7
Q

Labour supports 16+ voting

A

2024 Manifesto had extending the franchise of the electorate to 16+

Despite this commitment, no policy yet introduced, strong opposition from Tories and Reform UK.

Tories think 16 and 17 lack maturity

Reform says Labour are doing it for political gain not democracy to “rig future elections” coz demographic perceived to be more supportive of progressive politics

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8
Q

NFU moving between insider and outsider status

A

NFU under Conservatives were able to have significant policy influence (close to Tory Party)

Labour government means that their influence to policy has declined and they’re an outsider pressure group

Shows how a pressure group’s insider/outsider status and alignment with government direction is crucial in whether they’re able to exert influence over policy. They are highly dependent on government

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9
Q

Pressure group success

A

Muslim vote as an example of Pressure groups enhancing democracy

The Muslim Vote is a political social movement, aims to mobilise Muslim voters through social media to shape political outcomes

Informs voters how to elect pro-Gaza canndidates

2024 election, all 5 pro-ceasefire indepents elected were endorsed by TMV and 1/3 of their endorsed candidates won or came second

Pressure groups crucial to healthy democracy (how they’re influential) increasing public awareness and eucation, enhancing quality of participation and ensuring Pluralist democracy

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10
Q

Pressure group failure?

A

NFU - large amount of turnout with 13000 outside Westminster including Jeremy Clarkson but government refused to backtrack their inheritance tax decision. Farms valued over 1 million have to pay 20% inheritance tax and treasury refused to engage with NFU

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11
Q

Pressure group failure?

A

Environmental group against 3rd runway at Heathrow (Friends of the Earth) but they made no difference which shows lack of pressure group influence

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12
Q

Public Order Act 2023

A

UK government’s response to disruptive protest tactics from groups like Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil.

Introduced new offences such as “Locking on” which is now punishable by imprisonment or unlimited fines.

This Act was criticised for restricting the rights to protest in disruptive ways (often what makes protest successful)

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13
Q

Think tanks

A

Labour Together created to get Labour re-elected

Most key Labour Together figures are now frontbenchers (Rachel Reeves, Wes Streeting)

Former MP and member of Starmer’s shadow cabinet Jonathan Ashworth now chief executive (Revolving Door)

Insider methods such as private lobbying, political donations and hiring ex MPs are highly effective at securing insider groups privileged access to government

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14
Q

Lobbying

A

Penny Mordaunt joining British American Tobacco (BAT)

Mordaunt is a former tory cabinet member

BAT have lobbied in the interests of tobacco, example of revolving door after being out of office for just 5 months

Advisory committee on Business appointments said risk would be fine due to her not having too much influence and she didn’t know any unfair info

Highlights problem with revolving door due to risk of influence of lobbyists

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15
Q

Influence of Lobbying

A

Tory U-Turn on Net Zero Commitment

May amended the 2008 Climate Change Act to include net zero commitment by 2050

Every leader until Badenoch backed this.

Badenoch announced U-Turn calling it “impossible” for the UK to meet it

Announcement came a month after a weeklong residential with shadow cabinet colleagues couresy of Tory Donor Neil Record who chairs a climate-sceptic group

She claims she had concerns since 2019 but the proximity of the trip to her announcement raises questions

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16
Q

Calls from Tory party to leave ECHR

A

During the 2024 election, Jenrick advocated for the UK’s withdrawal from ECHR, arguing it was necessary to address illegal immigraition and bolster national security

ECHR jurisdiction impeded UK’s ability to deport individuals and leaving ECHR would solidify parliamentary sovereignty

ECHR and its copying into UK law as the Human Rights Act has been the basis of rights protection in the UK Constitution for decades

17
Q

Reform UK’s New Treasurer as an example of Party Funding

A

Reform hired a billionaire as their treasurer at the end of 2024 to help improve fundraising

This has led to backlash as the influence of foreign money in UK elections is bad

Transparency International UK reported that £1 in every £10 donated to parties comes from unknown sources

18
Q

Labour Party ideology in action

A

Renationalise Railways

Passenger Railway Services Act was passed in Novermber 2024, this was to re-nationalise rail service

Fairer fares, reliability and operate in passengers’ interest

Influence of Old Labour social democratic style ideology in modern Labour Party

Bringing back clause 4 that Blair got rid of???

19
Q

Labour policies that show New Labour

A

Welfare Cuts, Reeves seems more centrist with major cuts to welfare budget, particularly for those who are disabled

Elgibility for Personal Independence Payment (Disability Benefit) will be tightened to mean that fewer people will be able to access it

20
Q

Labour being right wing

A

Immigration Policy, Feb 2025, government said that it would make it impossible for a refugee who arrives in the UK on a small boat to become a British citizen

Criticism from Refugee Council and some Labour MPs

Starmer called Britain an “Island of strangers”

Highlights Reform Party significance with the anti-immigrant message

May 2025 local elections, Reform were the most successful which posed a threat to Labour for next election

21
Q

Labour factions

A

For Women Scotland Ltd vs The Scottish Ministers

Demonstrates divisions as the government supported the ruling but the progressive wing of the party has criticised the ruling as harmful to the LGBT community

Women and Equalities select committee chair, Labour’s Sarah Owen said judges made their decision without “a single contribution from trans people.”

22
Q

Conservative Party ideology in action

A

5 new policies on immigration in Feb 25 one of which said immigrants can only apply for citizenship after 15 years of residence rather than 6

They want the Reform supporters’ votes

Influence of Thatcherism and New Right within Conservative Party

23
Q

Minor Party success

A

Reform’s Polling 2024 general election

Jan 2025, YouGov poll, Reform was second place, 25% compared to Labour’s 26% and Tory’s 22%

Reform overtook Tories with party membership too

Polls show gains especially in the 18-24 category

This has put pressure on major parties to put through legislation on immigration to gain seats

Multi party???

24
Q

Least Proportional election result in history

A

2024 election - Labour won 411 seats with just 33.7% of the vote (winners’ bonus)

Labour in 2019 got 32% of votes but only 202 seats

Lib Dems in 2024 won 11% of seats with 12% of vote

Lib Dems in 2019 got 11.6% of votes but 11 seats